Microwave heating is based on the principle of:

Question

Question

This question was previously asked in

RRB JE EE 22 Apr 2025 Shift 1 CBT 2 Official Paper

Answer 1

Microwave heating is based on the principle of dielectric heating (also called dipolar rotation).

Dielectric Heating

Dielectric heating due to dipole rotation of polar molecules (like water) in an alternating electromagnetic field.
When microwave radiation penetrates food, it causes polar molecules, especially water molecules, to oscillate rapidly due to the alternating electric field.
This friction between oscillating molecules generates heat, warming the food from the inside out.

This is why microwave ovens heat moist foods efficiently but don’t heat dry or metallic materials well.